Liquor feed for drum driers



atented Sept., 6, 1938 UNITEo STATES LIQUORv FEED FOR DRUM DRIERSCharles 0. Lavett, Buffalo, N. Y., assgnor to Buffalo Foundry & MachineCo.,l Bualo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January s,1937, serial No. 119,661

' 15 claims. (ol. 15s-11') oscillated back and forth substantially thefull length of the drums, preferably in the manner of a pendulum, so asto distribute the liquor evenly.

Another object is to provide such a feed mechanism which is particularlyadapted to feed small quantities of highly concentrated feed liquoralong the entire length of the drums of a drier where the drums are ofconsiderable length, uni- 20 formity in the dried product not beingattainable, under such conditions, where the feed-liquor is fed fromastationary distributing manifold.

Another object isto provide such a mechanism in which the liquor may lbedischarged either in the form of a solid stream or in the form of aspray and in which the feed mechanism can be provided with a plate orthe like for stirring, agitating or breaking up the foam of the liquorheld between the drums if` the nature of the liquor should requireagitation or i-f the liquor should have a tendency to foam.

Another aim is to provide such a pendulum feed mechanism in which thespeed and length of the swing of the pendulum feed pipe can be readilyadjusted as may be desired. Another object is to provide such amechanism which is simple and inexpensive in construction and isreliable in operation.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is an end view, partly in section, showing a conventional doubledrum atmospheric drier having a hood through which the vapors are ventedand equipped with a pendulum feed embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof, partly in section. I

Fig. 3 a fragmentary side elevation of the lower end of a modied formof' pendulum feed pipe, viewed transversely of the axes of the drums,the same being equipped with a spray nozzle and also with a plate for'agitating or breaking up the foam of the liquor held between the drums;

The atmospheric drier in connection with which my invention is intendedto be used can be of any suitable construction and is illustrated insimplified form as composed of a frame 5 having two end heads 6 and 1 inwhich the opposite ends of the shafts 8 and 9 of the drums I0 and II arejournaled. The drums are provided with the usual end boards I2 and I3which conne the liquor in the space or valley I4 between the drums andthe drums are illustrated as moving downwardly at their point of closestapproach and the dried material scraped off by doctor knives I5,although it will be understood that the drums could rotate in theopposite direction, i. e. upwardly at their point of closest approach.The drums are supplied with steam or other vheating medium by anysuitable means (not shown) and are rotated from a main drive shaft I8which drives a large gear I9 on the shaft 8, this last gear meshing witha similar gear (not shown) on the shaft 9 so that the drums I0 and Ilare driven at the same speed.

Supported above the drums is a hood 20 having a reinforced lower rim 2|and tapering inwardly and upwardly to avent stack 22 of reduced size,the vapors generated on the drums I and Il being drawn upwardly throughthe hood 2li and vent stack 22 and discharged. On the front and rearwalls of the vent stack 22 are mounted bearings 25 in which a horizontalrocking feed pipe I 26 is journaled. One end of this feed pipe isconnected by a swivel elbow 21 with a liquor feed pipe 28 and the otherend of the pipe 26 is plugged or closed, the liquor from the rockingfeed pipe 26 being discharged through a depending liquor feed pipe .29,the lower discharge end of which is located in the valley or space I4between the drums I8 and Il. Theliquor feed pipe and particularly itsoutlet can be of such size as to create no head of liquor in the pipe orthe outlet may be conned so as to maintain a pressure in the pipe. Theliquor is preferably supplied by means of a varable speed pump (notshown) of such construction as to deliver a constant quantity of liquor.It will also be understood, however, that the liquor may be fed bygravity or any other suitable means. The axis o-f the rocking feed pipe26 is at right angles to the axes of the drums I0 and II and thereforeupon rocking the feed pipe 26 the depending feed pipe 29 is swung alongthe valley or space between the drums in the manner of a pendulumbetween the two dotted line positions illustrated in Fig. 2.

To so rock the rocking feed pipe 2E the closed end thereof is providedwith a rock lever 38 which is connected b y a link 3| with a rock arm 32fast to a shaft 33. This shaft 33 extends parallel with a rocking feedpipe 26 and is preferably supvis considerable.

ported by bearings 34 carried by an angle-frame 35, the vertical leg ofwhich is supported by the reinforced lower rim 2| of the hood 28 and thehorizontal leg of which is supported by the vent stack 22. A second rockarm 36 is secured to the rockshaft 33 and this rock arm is connectedvbyan adjustable rod 31 with a crank 38 on a crank shaft 39. .The crankshaft 39 is rotated from the main drive shaft |8 by means of an-endlesschain 40 passing around a sprocket 4| on the main drive shaft 8 and asprocket 42 on the crank shaft 39. The speed at which the pendulum feedpipe 26 swings can be adjusted to suit the particular liquor beinghandled by changing the sprockets 4| and 42. On certain concentratedsolutions.,

three complete cycles per revolution of the drums gave excellentresults. The length of the swing of the pendulum feed pipe can beincreased or decreased by lengthening or shortening any of the rock armcenters. For this purpose the rock arm 36 is shown as having a series ofholes 45 in any of which the pin 46 connecting it to the adjustable link31 can be inserted to adjust the effective length of the arm 36.

It will be seen that liquor from the main fee pipe 28 flows through theswivel elbow 21 and rocking feed pipe 26 into the depending feed pipe 29so that itis discharged from the lower end of the feed pipe 29 directlyinto the valley or space I4 between the drums of the drier. As the drumsare rotated the main drive shaft I8, through the chain 40, drives thecrank 38 which, through the adjustable rod 31, reciprocates the arm 36and rock shaft 33, this reciprocating motion being transmittedthroughthe rock arm 32, link 3| and rock arm '30 to the rocking feed pipe 26.The length of swing so provided is adjusted by adjusting the effectivelength of the arm 36 by selecting one of the holes 45 to attach the rod31 and is preferably adjusted so that the depending feed pipe 29 swingsfrom the two extreme positions illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 andthereby causes this depending pipe 29 to swing in the manner of apendulum back and forth between the extremities of the drums anddistribute the liquor the full length of the drums.

Under some conditions it may be desirable to spray the liquor into thetrough or valley between the drums. To effect this the modified form ofpendulum feed pipe 26a, illustrated in Fig. 3, is provided at its lowerend with a spray nozzle 41. With materials requiring agitation or withfoaming materials it may also be desirable to provide agitating means atthe lower end of the pendulum feed pipe. Such agitating means may takethe form of plates 48 suitably secured to the lower end of the pendulumpipe and sweeping through the material held between the drums so as toagitate it and break up any foam.

The invention has particular application to the distribution of a smallquantity of liquor over the entire length of a drum, the length of whichThis has always been a dillicult problem, particularly for liquors ofheavy concentration. Such liquors do not flow readily and the amount offeed, therefore, could not be easily controlled through a valve and theliquor then distributed to a manifold. With such concentrated liquors,the quantity to be fed to the drums is also comparatively small becausegenerally most of the Water has been removed before .the liquor is fedto the drums. If this small quantity is fed from a stationary pipe, incontradistinction, to the pendulum feed pipe of the present invention, avariation in the degree of concentration along the length of the drumsoccurs. 'Ihe pendulum feed pipe of the present invention distributessuch small quantities of concentrated liquor over the entire length ofthe drums and therefore largely eliminates such variations inconcentration.

From the foregoing it will therefore be seen that the present inventionprovides a very simple and effective means for distributing feed liquor,especiallyhigh concentrated feed liquor in small quantities, to anatmospheric double drum drier having drums of considerable length alongsubstantially the full length of the space or valley between the drumsand thereby reduces the danger of non-uniformity in the dried product.The feed mechanism is also adaptable for feeding any type of liquor; theliquor can be sprayed or fed as a solid stream; the mechanism is readilyad- .lustable both as to-the speed and throw of the pendulum feed arm;and the pendulum feed arm can be used as anagitator to agitate theliquor between the drums or to break up foam.

I claim as my invention:-

l. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the endsof said drums to maintaina pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, means forrotating said drums in opposite directions whereby a continuous layer ofthe feed liquor is applied to both of said drums for substantially thefull length thereof and means for maintaining said pool in said valley,comprising va liquor feed mechanism having a discharge orice means forcontinuously discharging the liquid through said orifice, said orificebeing arranged to deposit the liquor into the pool be tween the drumsand means for reciprocating said feed mechanism lengthwise o f saiddrums to dis'- tribute the feed liquor lengthwise of said pool.

2. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, meansfor rotating said drums in opposite directions whereby'a continuouslayerof the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums for substantiallythe full length thereof and. means for maintaining said pool in saidvalley, comprising a liquor feed Vinechanism having a discharge orificemeans for continuously discharging the liquid through said orifice, saidorifice being arranged to deposit the liquor into the pool between thedrums and means for moving said feed mechanism back and forth lengthwiseof said drums to reciprocate said orice substantially the full length ofsaid pool.

3. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, meansfor rotating said drums in opposite directions whereby a continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to' both of said drums forsubstantially the full length thereof and .means for maintaining saidpool in said valley,

-the axis of said drums and including a depending pipe having adischarge orifice arranged to deposit the liquor into the pool betweensaid drums,

- means for discharging liquor through said orifice and means forrocking said mechanism to oscillate said pipe along the drums todistribute the feed liquor uniformly along said pool.

4. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, meansfor rotating said drums in opposite directions whereby a continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums forsubstantially the full length thereof and means formaintaining said poolvin said valley, comprising a rocking pipe journaled a substantialdistance above said drums to swing about an axis at right angles to theaxis of said drums, means for supplying liquor to said rocking pipe. agenerally vertical pipe depending from' said rocking pipe and receivingthe liquor therefroml and having an orifice at its lower end arranged todeposit the liquor into the pool between said drums and means foroscillating said rocking pipe to swing the lower end of said verticalpipe and distribute the feed liquor lengthwise of said pool.

5. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the endsof said drums to maintaina pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, means forrotating said drums in opposite directions whereby a continuous layer ofthe feed liquor is applied to both of said drums for substantially thefull length thereof and means for maintaining said pool in said valley,comprising a rocking pipe journaled a substantial distance above saiddrums to swing about an axis at right angles to the axis of said drums,means at one end of said rocking feed pipe for supplying liquor to saidrocking pipe, a generally vertical pipe depending from said rocking pipeand receiving the liquor therefrom and having an orifice at its lowerend arranged to deposit the liquor between said drums and means at theopposite end of said rocking feed pipe for oscillating said rocking pipeto swing the lower end of said vertical pipeand distribute the feedliquor lengthwise of said pool. o

6. A double drum drier comprising a pair Vof heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, meansfor rotating said drums in opposite directions whereby a continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums forsubstantially the full length thereof and means for maintaining saidpool in said valley,

tial distance above said drums to swing about` an axis at right anglesto the axis of said drums, means for supplying liquor to said rockingpipe,

a generally vertical pipe depending from said4 rocling pipe andreceiving the liquor therefrom and having an orifice at its lower endarranged to deposit the liquor into the pool between said drums andmeans for oscillating said rocking pipe to swing the lower end of saidvertical pipe and distribute the feed liquor lengthwise ofA said poolcomprising a rock arm on said rocking feed pipe, a crank, and meansoperatively connecting said rock arm and crank.

7. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards;` at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums,` meansfor rotating said drums in opposite ydirections whereby a continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums forsubstantially the full length thereof and means for maintaining saidpool in said valley,

comprising a rocking pipe journaled a substantial distance above saiddrums to swing about an axis at right angles to the axis of said drums,means for supplying liquor to said rocking pipe, a generally verticalpipe depending from said rocking pipe and receiving the liquor therefromand having an orifice at its lower end arranged to deposit the liquorinto the valley between said drums and means for oscillating saidrocking pipe to swing the lower end of said vertical pipe and distributethe feed liquor lengthwise of said pool comprising a rock arm on saidrocking feed pipe, a crank, and means operatively connecting said rockarm and crank and including means for' adjusting the maximum arc of saiddepending pipe.

8. A double drum drier, comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another,l end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between the drums, meansfor rotating the drums in opposit'e directions whereby a continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums Afrom saidpool for substantially the full length thereof, a hood over the drums tocool the vapors generated in the drying operation and means formaintaining said pool, comprising a liquor feed mechanism suspended fromsaid hood and having a discharge orifice, means for continuouslydischarging the liquid through said orifice, said orifice being arrangedto deposit the liquor into the pool between the drums and means forreciprocating said feed mechanism lengthwise of said drums to distributethe feed liquor lengthwise of said pool.

9. A double drum drier, comprising a. pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between the drums, meansfor rotating the drums in opposite directions whereby a continuous layerof the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums from said pool forsubstantially the full length thereof, a hood over the drums to cool thevapors generated in the drying operation and means for maintaining saidlpool, comprising a rocking pipe journaled in bearings provided in saidhood and disposed at right angles to the axis of said drums, a liquorsupply pipe, a swivel connection between said supply pipe and saidrocking pipe, a pipe hanging from said rocking pipe and receiving liquortherefrom, the lower end of said hanging pipe being open and arranged todeposit the liquor into the pool between 'the drums and means forrocking said rocking pipe to swing said hanging .pipe lengthwise of thedrums to distribute the feed liquor lengthwise of said pool.

10. A double drum drier; comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between the drums, meansfor rotating the drums in opposite directions whereby a continuous layerof -the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums from said pool forsubstantially the full length thereof, a hood over the drums to cool thevapors generated in the drying operation and means for maintaining saidpool, comprising a rocking pipe journaled in bearings provided in saidhood and disposed at right angles to the axes of said drums, a liquorsupply pipe, a swivel connection between said liquor supply'pipe andsaid rocking pipe, a pipe hanging from said rocking pipe and receivingliquor therefrom, the lower end of said noo hangingk pipe being disposedin the valley between said drums and having an opening to deposittheliquor into said pool and means for rockl ing said rocking pipe toswing said hanging pipe lengthwise of the pool to distribute the liquortherealong, comprising a crank rotated by the drive mechanism for saiddrums, a rock arm fast to said rocking pipe andgan adjustable linkageconnecting said crank'and rock arm.

11. A liquor feed for a drum drier, comprising a liquor feed mechansmhaving a discharge orice arranged to deposit the liquor on the drum,means for reciprocating said feed mechanism lengthwise of said drum todistribute the feed liquor therealong, and means carried by saidreciprocating means for agitating the liquor deposited on said drum.

12. A liquor feed for a drum drier, comprising a liquor feed mechanismpivotally supported a substantial distance above said drum to swing onan axis disposed at right angles to the axis of said drum and includinga depending pipe having a discharge orice arranged to deposit the liquoron said drum, means for rocking said mechanism to oscillate said pipealong the drum to distribute the feed liquor uniformly thereto, andmeans oscillating with said pipe and agitating the liquor deposited onsaid drum.

13. A liquor feed mechanism for an atmospheric double drum drier,comprising a liquor feed mechanism pivotally supported a substantialdistance above said drums to swing on an axis disposed at right anglesto the axes of said drums and including a depending feed pipe the lowerend of which is disposed in the valley between said drums and isprovided with a discharge orlfice arranged to deposit the liquor in saidvalley, means for rocking said mechanism to oscillate said pipe alongsaid valley to distribute the feed liquor uniformly thereto and meansoscillating with said pipe and agitating the liquor in said valley.

14. lA doubledrumdrler comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, meansfor rotating said drums in` opposite directions wherebya continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums forsubstantially the full length thereof and means for maintaining saidpool in said valley, comprising a liquor feed mechanism having adischarge orifice means for continuously discharging the liquid throughsaid orifice, said orifice being arranged to spray the liquor into thepool between the drums and means for reciprocating said feed mechanismlengthwise of said drums to distribute the feed liquor lengthwise ofsaid pool.

15. A double drum drier comprising a pair of heated drums in closerelation to one another, end boards at the ends of said drums tomaintain a pool of feed liquor in the valley between said drums, meansfor rotating said drums in opposite directions wherebyr a continuouslayer of the feed liquor is applied to both of said drums forsubstantially the full length thereof and means forl maintaining saidpool in said valley, comprising a liquor feed mechanism pivotallysupported a substantial distance above said drums to swing on an axisdisposed at right angles to the axis of said drums and including adepending pipe having a discharge orifice means for continuouslydischarging the liquid through said orifice, said orice being arrangedto spray the liquor on said drums, and means for rocking said mechanismto oscillate said pipe along the drums to distribute the feed liquoruniformly along said pool.

CHARLES O. LAVE'I'I.

